Fixation Control Unit Phase Adjustment for Current Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming apparatuses face challenges in rapidly warming the fixing unit while maintaining the total electrical current within the target value, due to limitations in electrical current flow and changes in power factor, leading to inefficiencies and potential exceedance of the limiting current value.
Innovation Solution
The image-forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, load, power source circuit, fixation electrical current detecting body, total electrical current detecting body, storage unit, and fixation control unit, which detects and adjusts the phase at which the heat generator is energized based on power factor data to optimize electrical current distribution and maintain the total electrical current at a target value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electric power is supplied to the heater to rapidly warm the fixing unit, then the warming speed is improved, but the total electrical current may exceed the limiting value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the heater's electrical current by continuously monitoring the total electrical current and adjusting the heater current accordingly. The control unit varies the heater current in real-time based on the difference between the total current and the limiting value, allowing the system to achieve rapid warming while preventing current exceedance through continuous adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the total electrical current is continuously measured and fed back to the control unit. The control unit calculates the allowable heater current based on the measured total current and the limiting value, then adjusts the heater current accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the total current remains within limits while maximizing heater power for rapid warming.
2Ease of operation
If the phase at which the heat generator is energized is adjusted to control electrical current, then the electrical current distribution is optimized, but repeated phase correction is required due to power factor changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to continuously monitor the total electrical current and adjust the phase of the heat generator energization accordingly. The control unit measures the total current, compares it with the limiting value, and dynamically adjusts the phase angle to maintain optimal current distribution while preventing exceedance of the limiting value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the electrical power supply to the heat generator based on the measured total electrical current. By dynamically adjusting the phase angle at which the heat generator is energized, the system optimizes the electrical current distribution between the heat generator and other loads, achieving better control over the total current while accounting for power factor variations.
3Reliability
If the target electrical current value is set conservatively below the limiting value, then the risk of exceeding the limit is reduced, but the warming efficiency is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the target electrical current value based on the actual total current measurement and the limiting value. Rather than using a fixed conservative target, the control unit calculates the maximum allowable heater current at each moment based on the difference between the limiting value and the current total current. This allows the system to operate closer to the limiting value when conditions permit, maximizing warming efficiency while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control to continuously monitor the total electrical current and adjust the heater current accordingly. The control unit calculates the allowable heater current as the difference between the limiting value and the measured total current, then adjusts the heater current to maximize warming power while ensuring the total current does not exceed the limiting value. This real-time feedback enables efficient operation near the current limit without risking compliance violations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid warming of the fixing unit while ensuring the total electrical current remains within the target value, reducing the need for repeated phase correction and minimizing the risk of exceeding the limiting current, thereby improving operational efficiency and compliance with electrical regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (51) built in the heating roller (52)
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit; a load; a power source circuit section; a fixation electrical current detecting body; a total electrical current detecting body; a storage unit; and a fixation control unit. The fixing unit fixes a toner image using a heat generator. The power source circuit section supplies electric power to the load. The storage unit stores electrical current change amount data establishing an amount of change in the magnitude of the total electrical current relative to an amount of change in a phase for each value of the power factor of the fixing unit. The fixation control unit finds the power factor of the fixing unit, and alters the phase at which the heat generator starts to be energized on the basis of the power factor thus found and the electrical current change amount data, so that the total electrical current value approaches a target value.